Dowagiac Area History Museum

06/09/2026

Way to go Danielle!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BtBNg6i9p/?mibextid=wwXIfr

At Monday's Dowagiac City Council meeting, Ward One Councilperson and Mayor Pro Tem Danielle Lucas became the first woman and the first person of color to preside over a Dowagiac City Council meeting, during Mayor Patrick M. Bakeman's scheduled absence.

"I can’t think of a better person to lead in my place than Mayor Pro Tem Lucas," said Dowagiac Mayor Patrick M. Bakeman. "Danielle has demonstrated her commitment to this community through her dedication to her family and to the city of Dowagiac. She is truly a role model for all, and I am proud of the leadership she continues to provide for our city."

06/03/2026

05/28/2026

Lee Memorial Hospital has 100+ years of history serving Dowagiac and Dr. Matt Cripe will close out our Spring Lecture Series with "A History of Lee Memorial Hospital" on Wednesday, June 3 at 6 p.m.

This program is free for museum members and students, $5 for non-members. Seating is limited to 100 and is on a first-come basis.

According to several sources connected to the hospital, we can expect a large turnout of employees and former employees, so seating will be limited. Plan accordingly.

05/22/2026

The Dowagiac Area History Museum will be closed on Saturday, May 23 for Memorial Day weekend. We wish everyone a safe weekend.

05/07/2026

The official Farm and Artisan Market starts after Memorial Day, but Becky Maier (former owner of Village Floral in Cassopolis) will do a Pop-Up Mother's Day Flower Sale at the Dowagiac Area History Museum on Friday and Saturday, May 8 and May 9. Stop in to pick up hanging baskets, flowers and plants.

05/06/2026

Last reminder about tonight's program by Museum Director Steve Arseneau, "A Mini-Drill, Birchbark Booklets and a Gold Stove: Dowagiac at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair." The program begins at 6 p.m. with seating limited to 100. Free for museum members and students, $5 for non-members.

Arseneau will look at Dowagiac Manufacturing Company, Simon Pokagon and the Round Oak Stove Company at the Columbian Exposition.

04/30/2026

Museum Director Steve Arseneau continues the Spring Lecture Series on Wednesday, May 6 at 6 p.m. with "A Mini Drill, Birchbark Booklets and a Gold Stove: Dowagiac at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair."

Arseneau will tell the stories of Dowagiac Manufacturing Company, Simon Pokagon and Round Oak Stove Company at the famous Columbian Exposition.

The program is free for museum members and students, $5 for non-members. Seating is limited to 100 patrons and is on a first-come basis.

04/24/2026

We have had a fantastic intern working for us this spring, Cynthia Slater from the Public History program at Western Michigan University. We tried to give her a broad experience in small local history museum work-- she has catalogued recent acquisitions, digitized photos, performed research, helped on school tours, redesigned two exhibit cabinets and worked with volunteers. This week she reconfigured our Potawatomi exhibit cabinets.

Thanks for all the great work, Cynthia!

04/07/2026

One last reminder that we have an outstanding program tomorrow night as the Spring Lecture Series continues on Wednesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. with Annette Gutierrez visiting Dowagiac from Ypsilanti for her program "Rosie the Riveter and Beyond: How Women Helped Win WWII."

Gutierrez is the executive director of the non-profit organization Michigan Rosies and is clearly an expert on the Rosie the Riveters throughout the state of Michigan-- it promises to be a great program!

The program is free for museum member and those 18 and under, $5 for non-member adults. Seating is on a first-come basis.